New deals for Jocky Scott and John Blackley at Stirling

Published on Wednesday 27 April 2011 20:42

JOCKY Scott and John Blackley have had their contracts renewed by Stirling Albion as the experienced management duo prepare to lift the Forthbank club after the disappointment of relegation from the First Division.

Following a meeting of the club's executive committee, the contracts of Scott and Blackley - brought in after John O'Neill and his assistant Roddy Grant were sacked after a poor start to the season - extended beyond the end of season 2010-11 with a rolling contract.

Scott said: "Both John and I are pleased to continue at Stirling Albion. Of course the season has ended in disappointment for everyone involved with the club but we remain determined to turn that round next season and help the club develop its own talent for the future."

Scott was recruited by Stirling in January following a nine-month spell out of the game following his sacking by Dundee in March last year, before the club lurched into administration. Under Scott, Dundee had been top of the First Division, but following a run of four games without a win culminating in a loss to bottom club Airdrie, the Dens Park board decided to axe their former player after 15 months at the helm and replace him with Gordon Chisholm.

Scott enthusiastically set about the task of trying to save Stirling from the drop, and while he ultimately failed, Stirling - the only professional Scottish club run by its supporters - believe the 63-year-old and his assistant Blackley, the former Hibs captain and Scotland international, are the men to lead their promotion bid next season.

Stirling Albion spokesman Paul Goodwin said: "We are delighted that Jocky and John have agreed to continue as Stirling Albion's management team. They have experienced football in ways that the majority of those involved in the game can only dream about and it's that expertise we are pleased to have remaining at the club.

"When the Stirling Albion Supporters' Trust took control of the club shortly before the start of this season we knew it was going to be very tough on and off the park and unfortunately that has been proved to be correct. We are also well aware that next season will present further challenges but, of course, the target will be to gain promotion again and we will be doing everything we can to assist Jocky and John in that quest.

"As the first senior Scottish football club to be owned by its supporters trust we have had a lot of support from the local community and from the wider football 'family' and for that we are extremely grateful."

Stirling's relegation was confirmed earlier this month, but with the future of Scott and Blackley now secure they can start preparing for next season.